European Nissan Note will be produced in Sunderland; expect cosmetic changes inside and out, compared with this Japanese model

The Nissan Note has long been popular with supermini buyers wanting a little MPV practicality, but it has always had rather tame styling. However, if the Japanese-market edition is anything to go by, the new Note will have much racier looks.

The styling isn't likely to affect the car's core features, though. Room for five adults, good stowage space and a flexible seating arrangement should all be retained.

The engine range will almost certainly get a shake-up, however, with the four-cylinder petrol and diesel motors of the previous-generation car being joined by naturally aspirated and supercharged versions of Nissan's new three-cylinder petrol powerplant.

Despite the early debut of the new Note in Japan, Nissan GB says the UK car is still the best part of a year away, and that its cabin finish and quality will be much improved from the home-market version we've seen so far.

The new Toyota Verso gets the company's new family look, with more angular front lights and grille

The Toyota Verso gets more of a family look for 2013, bringing its front-end styling in line with models such as the Auris and Prius.

The Verso comes with a choice of 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol engines, and a revised 2.0 diesel that improves efficiency to reduce the car's CO2 emissions to 129g/km. There's also a more potent 2.2 turbodiesel option.

The core cabin layout remains, but there are classier trim materials in key areas, and Toyota claims that improved sound deadening will raise the car's refinement.